Read: The Final Trial (#54-2022)

The Final Trial by Kelley Armstrong

(Royal Guide to Monster Slaying, Book 4)

Rowan's final expedition, meant to prove that she's worthy of being called the Royal Monster Hunter. With the resources provided by her friends and companions and the knowledge she's gained from past trials, Rowan will surely escape the final trial unscathed and victorious. 

Read: Hex on the Beach (#03-2022)

Hex on the Beach by Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr

(anthology of short stories - all supernatural-themed)

Goddess of Summer Love - Kelley Armstrong

Daiquiris and Daggers - Melissa Marr

A Grave Girls Getaway - Jeaniene Frost

Read: High Jinx (#02-2022)

High Jinx by Kelley Armstrong

(Cursed Luck, Book 2)

This continues the story of Kennedy, an antique shop owner and curse worker from a town called Unstable (near Boston, MA.)  There's a mystery, adventure and of course a little bit of romance with luck worker Aidan Connolly. 

The mystery and adventure, in this case, involve a set of cursed paintings with an interesting history, and Kennedy's newly found mentor Mercy (sometimes better known as Greek god Mercury.)

Read: A Game of Thrones (#01-2022)

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

(Book 1, A Song of Fire and Ice)

The original Game of Thrones - the book behind the television saga. I won't spend time on a summary, because those who've seen the series know the events of the first book fairly well and those who haven't seen the series aren't really interested anyway. 

I Read: A Psalm of Storms and Silence

A Psalm of Storms and Silence by Roseanne A. Brown

(Book 2 in the series)

Of course, I had to read the continuing story after I enjoyed the first book so much. And while I was in a very different headspace than I was a year ago reading the A Song of Wraiths and Ruin it doesn't mean that this one disappointed me.

I found it difficult to follow some of the twists and descriptions, but that's more to do with me than with the book. Every word seems carefully chosen and adds something to the totality of the story. I liked the conclusion, how it wasn't a fully happy ending but it was satisfying. It brought everything to a cohesive end but left space for further stories at the same time.

I wish Brown a continued story career. She seems destined for it.

#91-2021

I Read: Odin's Ravens

Odin's Ravens by K.L. Armstrong & Melissa Marr

(Book Two in The Blackwell Pages)

The second book in a series is generally pretty boring. They've set up the conflict in the first book and they finish with an epic battle/love story or whatever in the third book, but in the second book, you're kind of just plodding along picking up pieces. 

I can't feel much differently about this one, unfortunately. There are some interesting developments, absolutely there are. But for the most part, we're just setting up events for the third book - some interesting Norse mythology moments aside. 

#85-2021

I Read: Harry Potter - a Magical Year

Harry Potter - a Magical Year by J.K. Rowling (Illustrations by Jim Dale)

This wasn't really much of a read. I got it for the illustrations, but it was nice to go back and revisit and remember the stories of Harry Potter through the quotations in this book. The quotes don't really relate to the days that they're attached to in any way but it's a neat way to remind us of the Harry Potter magic in short little bursts. 

It's not a necessary book, but it is pretty. Like a compilation of the best moments of the Illustrated editions, but without having the full series of the Illustrated editions. 

Great for a Harry Potter collector, not so useful for anyone else. 

I Read: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavour by Hank Green

(sequel to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing)

What a beautifully foolish way to continue this story. I read the first one late, so I already knew it had a sequel, but this was the perfect completion of the story. I liked the way this was written because it very effectively pointed out how separate the characters became.

Anything else I say would give away parts of the story, and I think it's important in this book that the reader doesn't know what's coming. It just feels important. 

#73-2021

I Read: The Serpent's Fury

The Serpent's Fury by Kelley Armstrong

(Royal Guide to Monster Slaying book #3)

I love this series because it's so creative. There are "monsters" I've never heard of and that in other situations would be scary but they're written as creatures to be learned about and treated as equals. 

The series title is Royal Guide to Monster Slaying, but it's really more about monster care. It's a lesson that doesn't seem to resonate for people in reality but might make more of an impression on the age group targeted with this series, because of these books. 

I Read: The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Stories

The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Stories by Charlaine Harris

I enjoyed this because it was like revisiting an old friend. I read the Sookie Stackhouse novels years ago, when True Blood was the popular thing to watch on HBO. So coming back to Bon Temps and seeing a few more glimpses into Sookie's world (with a few guest appearances from other series as well) was welcome. 

This is an anthology of short stories/novellas that had previously been included in other anthologies but are now collected under the Sookie banner.  With an introduction to the entire collection by Charlaine Harris, and then small explanations for each story and where it fits into the grander Sookie Stackhouse universe preceding each story. 

It makes me want to revisit the entire series, and include these stories in the order where they fit.  But with my current TBR pile seeming to multiply on its own overnight I don't think I can fit in a reread currently. 

If you're someone who enjoyed True Blood, or has read the Sookie Stackhouse novels, you'd do well to read this. It's just a nice quiet trip back to Bon Temps. 

#43-2021

I Read: Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl

The continued story of Charlie and Mr. Wonka takes Charlie's entire family on an out of this world journey in the great glass elevator. True to Dahl-form there are made up words, and characters and entirely implausible scenarios that seem entirely reasonable within his story. It's what makes reading Dahl fun. 

If you enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I'd recommend reading this to continue the tale. There are even more Oompa Loompas. And buried in the middle are some lessons to learn. Fun!

#82-2020

I Read: The Magic Finger

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl

Okay, so I just have to say that this title is a little problematic. It brings to mind a lot of things that should never be associated with a book for kids. 

HOWEVER, the book is actually a really great learning tool about the way we should treat the world and all the creatures in it. It's a super simple read, and I'm glad that I picked it up as a palate cleanser this morning. 

Roald Dahl definitely has a way with words, and I don't think I will ever regret reading anything of his. 

#73-2020

I Read: The Lost Book of the White

The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

Second in the Eldest Curses series

I have a weird connection to Cassandra Clare novels. They're definitely not written for someone of my age, but I still love them. There's something about the characters that makes mort of them either incredibly endearing or relatably dislikeable. And since I am entirely a reader who is fascinated by character-driven stories, that's perfect for me. 

The stories themselves, are not always the best they could be, but based on the character creation they don't seem completely far-fetched. Like I said, even the characters who I don't end up liking that much or I don't understand, I still enjoy the way they're written. Which is why I buy each book almost as soon as it's out. Sometimes even pre-ordered. I like getting books the day they're released. Occasionally I even manage to get them before the official release date, which is always a treat.

I Read: A Song of Wraiths and Ruins

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

I picked this up based solely on the recommendations of some random other book readers on Twitter. I'm not kidding. It hadn't even come out yet, and people were in love with this book, and the author seemed like a super-fun person, so I ordered it. 

It took me a while to read, through no fault of the story or the writing, but because the political climate of the world has been insane, and I haven't had any attention span to read at all. Real-world burn-out, I guess. 

But, I am very glad that I read this. It's something I may not have picked up without those random recommendations, even though it's a similar genre style to what I've been reading for the last couple of years. 

I Read: The Gryphon's Lair

The Gryphon's Lair by Kelley Armstrong

(Second in the Royal Guide to Monster Hunting series)

Once again, another Kelley Armstrong book. I make no apologies for being a fan of her writing, reading everything she puts out, and pre-ordering most of the time to make sure that I get it in short order. Even when it's a fantasy novel intended for kids, which is the case for this one. 

If it's not obvious I want to tell everyone that if they haven't read Kelley Armstrong yet, please, please do.  It doesn't have to be her teen, or young adult stuff, but everything she writes comes with the same attention to character and story. Her characters are believable and they grow within the story. Even the minor ones. 

I Read: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

(Prequel to The Hunger Games trilogy)

This is the "long-awaited" follow-up to The Hunger Games trilogy.  I put that in quotes, because I wasn't particularly waiting for it. Sure, I pre-ordered it, but I didn't really feel like I needed it before I knew it existed. There wasn't anything missing in the original story for me. I didn't need any backstory in particular to feel the story was complete. I only needed it in the sense that I'm a completist, so I had to have it to complete the set.

But I understand the concept of following up on that kind of success with something that might bring that back. And Collins is a good writer. It's a well-written book. I enjoyed it. It took me longer than it should to read but that was more a function of what was going on in the world and finding time to read it, than not wanting to read it. 

I read: Chosen Ones

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth

I'll be totally honest - I pre-ordered this book based solely on the fact that Veronica Roth wrote the Divergent and Carve the Mark series'.  I also fully admit that I was not a fan of her characterization in Divergent. I completely hate the way Tris is written. She's whiny and annoying. But I enjoyed the story, even with holes, and I did get very attached to Four, which from reading about Roth later I realize was actually her issue also.

But I enjoyed Carve the Mark, and I saw a lot of growth in the writing and the story, so I assumed, no matter what I'd get something I liked out of this new novel. I didn't read anything about it beforehand, just based the decision solely on author name and reputation.

I read: Chain of Gold

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare 
(Book 1: The Last Hours)

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of this book, which was delayed and delayed and then released the week before I was expecting.  So I was doubly upset to get a head cold that made me unable to read it as quickly as I would have liked.  I just wanted to sleep.

But I am excited to have finished it, and it was worth the wait and then the delay because I very, very much enjoyed the adventure and am waiting for the next book in the series, whenever that might be.

I read: Night Shift

Night Shift by Charlaine Harris  

(Book 3 in the Midnight Texas series)

I'll admit it - I really just read this book because I wanted to finish the series. I enjoyed a few of the characters, but the story seemed to really drag on this one. Bits and pieces of things caught my interest along the way but there wasn't one main thread to keep me going. Harris is very good at her characterization though, so it was worth the read if only to get to the inevitable end.

I'm not going to go any more in-depth with this at this point - maybe I'll edit later.  3 stars out of five.

#07-2020

I write: Technology in Science Fiction and Fantasy

Writing Assignment – Technology in Science Fiction and Fantasy

Overview:

We’re back to the workshop again this week, this time thinking about the technology that exists in our created world, how it affects that world, and the people in it. But we’ve got to keep the tension up, so at least some of this technology creates an impending disaster.

A technology allowed to be taken to the extreme threatens to destroy our civilization: socially, politically, or physically.

1. What is the technology?
2. What is it that makes it such a threat?
3. What kind of character would be the most interesting to engage with the technology and save the world?